About this job
This is a high-profile strategic role, and you will need a thorough and specialist understanding of the barriers faced by disabled people in the workplace and wider society and about how unions can help to overcome them.
The role involves providing policy advice and guidance to the union including the lay member structures, providing support and guidance to regions and branches, and representing the Union with outside organisations. You will have the confidence and presence to advise on disability issues, and disabled members at all levels.
You will be able to demonstrate a proven track record of working on disability equality, influencing, implementing and leading policy, campaigns and organising initiatives in a challenging and complex work environment. In addition, you will possess an excellent mix of competencies and skills to enable UNISON to influence the social, political and public policy equality agenda and the challenges facing disabled members.
You will be an articulate communicator, with the confidence to address a variety of audiences, from government ministers to national conferences and UNISON branches.
Your role is key to ensuring the reforms to employment and equality rights that UNISON has long campaigned for, and the Labour Government is committed to delivering, are implemented. You will have the skill to develop and deliver effective campaigns and to assess their impact.
You will champion the needs of disabled members in UNISON, developing initiatives to promote their recruitment into trade union membership and acting as lead officer to UNISON’s National Disabled Member’s Committee. You will understand democratic structures and processes and have a developed knowledge of parliamentary and policy-making systems in the UK.
UNISON is committed to providing a healthy work/life balance for all our people – involved in occasional evening and weekend work, as well as some UK travel, you will receive time in lieu for any work outside the usual working week. Core skills for the job include influencing and organising, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to run and shape our campaigns. A detailed knowledge of equality, a track record in working as part of a team and experience of speaking up on behalf of members in a representative setting and working with elected leaders will be an advantage.
For further information and to apply please see below www.unison.org.uk/jobs.
How to apply
Please note that only the General Application Form will be accepted. Use of any other application form will result in your application not being considered.
Please send completed application form along with recruitment and disability monitoring form to hrrecruitment@unison.co.uk quoting ref: BNE/60.
Completed application forms must be received no later than Wednesday 5th February 2025 by 5pm.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 18th February 2025.
About UNISON
UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public sector, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ approximately 1,200 staff, with around 370 at our national centre in Euston in central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.